“ OK, THIS IS JUST TOO WEIRD.” IDENTIFYING OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES IN FACEBOOK Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University

DISCLAIMERS Healthy dose of skepticism. Technically a millennial. Contexts may vary.

Healthy dose of skepticism.

Technically a millennial.

Contexts may vary.

FACEBOOK What is it? Who uses it?

What is it?

Who uses it?

FACEBOOK: WHAT IS IT? A social networking site A community of more than 90 million active users A development platform “ A social utility that connects you with the people around you.”

A social networking site

A community of more than 90 million active users

A development platform

“ A social utility that connects you with the people around you.”

FACEBOOK: WHO USES IT? As of 2006, 55% of all teens who use social networking sites have used Facebook or Myspace, and 48% visit daily or more often. “ The fastest growing demographic is those 25 years and older.”

As of 2006, 55% of all teens who use social networking sites have used Facebook or Myspace, and 48% visit daily or more often.

“ The fastest growing demographic is those 25 years and older.”

GW AND FACEBOOK

OUR UNIVERSITY

OUR LIBRARY

OUR STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

THE LIBRARY AND FACEBOOK Your Librarian Is Your Friend

Your

Librarian

Is

Your

Friend

THE LIBRARY AND FACEBOOK

CREATING THIS STUDY

RESEARCH QUESTIONS What role does technology play in our students' study habits? What role does Facebook play in the lives of GW students? How can the library use Facebook to connect with GW students?

What role does technology play in our students' study habits?

What role does Facebook play in the lives of GW students?

How can the library use Facebook to connect with GW students?

METHODOLOGY Three phases: Review of profiles and observation of student activity on Facebook Survey of GW students Semi-structured interviews with Facebook users

Three phases:

Review of profiles and observation of student activity on Facebook

Survey of GW students

Semi-structured interviews with Facebook users

SURVEY QUESTIONS

SURVEY QUESTIONS

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS How does Facebook as a recreational practice impact your study habits and academic life? How would you feel if a librarian “friended” you? Under what circumstances would you feel comfortable “friending” a librarian or accepting a librarian’s friend request? What sort of information would you expect/want to find on a librarian’s profile page (social or practical)?

How does Facebook as a recreational practice impact your study habits and academic life?

How would you feel if a librarian “friended” you? Under what circumstances would you feel comfortable “friending” a librarian or accepting a librarian’s friend request?

What sort of information would you expect/want to find on a librarian’s profile page (social or practical)?

STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK How do you feel about university staff having Facebook profiles?

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK “ Weird.”

“ Weird.”

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK “ Oh, well I would use that .”

“ Oh, well I would use that .”

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK “ Just please don't start Poking us kids.”

“ Just please don't start Poking us kids.”

RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS When developing a virtual presence, consider students’ actual perceptions of the library.

When developing a virtual presence, consider students’ actual perceptions of the library.

RECOMMENDATIONS Also consider how students view and interact with librarians in the real world.

Also consider how students view and interact with librarians in the real world.

RECOMMENDATIONS Provide resources, but don’t be surprised if students don’t use them.

Provide resources, but don’t be surprised if students don’t use them.

RECOMMENDATIONS Recognize that Facebook may play a role in librarians’ lives too.

Recognize that Facebook may play a role in librarians’ lives too.

THANK YOU Elizabeth Edwards [email_address]